They are few makeup items that capture universal attention and admiration like the humble mascara. Anyone, no matter how little time they have in the morning, can transform the way they look with a coat or two on their eyelashes and it doesn't even require much skill!
In fact it's the staple of most people's makeup bags and, for me a least, is the one makeup item that I simply could not live without.
Maybe she's Born with it?
The year is 1971, and amidst the lava lamps and Disco music one of the most iconic mascaras of all time is about to launch. With the tagline of 'Great Look, Great Body, Great Lash Mascara' Maybelline promised a product that would enhance our lashes on an epic scale; and they delivered.
But the story behind 'Great Lash Mascara' actually begins much earlier than that. It's the 1900s and T. L Williams created a mascara for his sister Maybel.
Originally called 'Lash-Brow-Ine' it was the product that launched a makeup empire (and a thousand 'Maybe She's Born with It' jokes to boot).
The name 'Maybelline' came about when Mr Williams mixed his sister's name with the word 'Vaseline' - a key component in the product at the time and indecently one still used by savvy beauty lovers everywhere to grow long and luscious lashes without any great expense.
Why is 'Great Lash Mascara' Iconic?
Writing this blog post I am reminiscing over the memories of watching my mother apply her makeup from a gold cosmetics bag in her bedroom and there was always one product that caught my eye. It had a pink tube with a green cap and my younger (and quite frankly present, self) was absolutely captivated with the colour palette which is so wrong in so many fabulous ways.
In fact that iconic pink and green pairing remains unchanged to this day and means that 'Great Lash' is instantly recognisable in any makeup collection, large or small.
"It is still the number-one best-selling mascara in the marketplace, crossing a drugstore scanner every 1.5 seconds."
There is no doubt that 'Great Lash' is here to stay - but why has it stood the test of time?
Maybelline credits the mascara's unprecedented success to the combination of the conditioning and clump free formula with the lash-building brush. Lashes are nourished whilst also being thickened and curled to create wider, brighter looking eyes without a flake or clump in sight!
For me personally it isn't just about the brush, the formula or even the iconic design.
My love affair with this mascara comes from it's shade; Brownish Black.
It is the perfect deep tone which provides stunning colour payoff and definition to my lashes without the harshness of a pure black mascara. The brown hue brings warmth to my eyes and works especially well if you're fairer.
It's also worth noting that 'Great Lash Mascara' is an absolute steal at £5.99 and proves that quality and performance don't have to come with a hefty price tag.
